Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 April 2012
656 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has made a decision on the eligibility of horses in calculations for the disadvantaged areas scheme for 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20405/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile horses will no longer be eligible for the stocking density calculation under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, equine breeding enterprises will continue to be eligible on the basis of the contribution they make to the local economy. Equine breeding enterprises are defined as follows: an applicant must, in the first instance, be an equine breeder and have bred a foal, from a mare registered as on the applicant's holding in 2011, in either 2009, 2010 or 2011, which was registered in a Stud Book approved by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, with pedigree recorded (sire and dam).
Furthermore, the premises of all who meet this criteria must be registered with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, in accordance with S.I. No. 8 of 2012, Diseases of Animals Act 1966 (Registration of Horse Premises) Order 2012.
Where these criteria are met, the following equines will then be eligible for inclusion in the stocking density calculation for the 2012 Scheme:
All equines aged one year to five years, (aged using 1 January), registered in the name of the applicant and maintained on his/her holding;
Breeding mares, registered as having been on the applicant's holding in 2011, that have bred an appropriately registered foal in either 2009, 2010 or 2011.
However, as all the proposals in relation to the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme have yet to be approved by the EU Commission, they may be subject to change.
